‘The Following’ Season 2: Natalie Zea Returns, But For How Long?

Natalie Zea, that rare, flighty bird. We relish her few and far between appearances each season on 'Justified,' miss her from 'Californication,' and will enjoy her brief turn in upcoming episodes of 'Under the Dome,' but is 'The Following' in her rear-view mirror as well? The actress has officially been confirmed to appear in the Kevin Bacon serial killer drama's second season, but we may not be 'Following' Natalie for long.

Via TV Guide, we've learned that Zea signed on at the last minute to appear in 'The Following' season 2 (currently slated for 2014), though Zea wouldn't confirm for how long, considering her character Claire Matthews suffered a near-fatal knife attack in the first season finale "The Final Chapter."

"My concern, and [series creator] Kevin Williamson's concern, was always, is there more story to tell with Claire? And we both discovered that maybe there wasn't," Zea told the outlet. The character had actually been slated to die in the first season finale, though FOX supposedly vetoed the decision, and thus endings were shot in either case.

Should Zea's character survive to return in a regular capacity however, the actress previewed that there could be a sinister turn for her future, as with many 'Following' characters' dubious moralities. "I feel like what would need to happen would be a change to her DNA," she says. "In other words, she might have to break bad a little bit. Although I don't know if anyone besides me would want that."

We'll be on hand to see what the cast and crew of 'The Following' have to say at Comic-Con 2013 but in the meantime, what think you on it? Should Natalie Zea remain with the series, even if it means a drastic turn for her Claire?